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Study for "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way"

Emanuel Leutze

1862

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Study for "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way" is a 1862 graphite by Emanuel Leutze, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Emanuel Leutze
When & what style?: 1862 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a group of people in a rocky landscape. One figure stands tall with arms outstretched, wearing a loose robe and a crown of leaves. Below, a woman holds a child, while others sit or kneel around them. The background has rough, uneven lines that look like cliffs or ruins. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and emotion. The paper is old and yellowed, making the graphite marks stand out more. Look up Leutze, Emanuel Gottlieb to see how he turned this study into a famous painting.